A DOUBLE fatality at Dubbo on Saturday was among a series of devastating road incidents which have prompted police to issue a warning for road users ahead of the Australia Day long weekend road safety operation.
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A horrific weekend on NSW roads saw eight people die in seven fatal accidents while several were left in hospital with serious injuries sustained in other crashes.
A 76-year-old driver and his 73-year-old female passenger were killed when their vehicle turned into the path of a truck on the Newell Highway on Saturday afternoon.
A day earlier, a 62-year-old woman was killed following a head-on collision between two cars at Luddenham.
Also on Saturday, a 48-year-old motorcycle rider was killed after being struck behind by another motorcycle and hitting an oncoming car at Wauchope, while a 47-year-old woman was killed following a crash between a car and four-wheel-drive at North Richmond.
The same day a 20-year-old motorcyclist died after hitting a car at Tumut.
On Sunday, a 43-year-old motorcycle rider was killed after being hit by a four-wheel-drive at Mt Panorama Scenic Road in Bathurst and his pillion sustained serious injuries.
In Orange, a 43-year-old motorcyclist died after his motorcycle left a dirt trail and went into scrub, his pillion sustaining minor injuries.
NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith, said it was not the way police wanted to start the New Year.
"Investigations are continuing into the factors involved in these crashes," he said.
"But we do know that these fatalities occurred in daylight and in good driving conditions."
"Operation Safe Return begins on Friday and will run over the Australia Day Long Weekend. This will coincide with a four-day double demerit period.
"This operation will target the 'fatal five' of speeding, drink/drug driving, not wearing seat belts, distracted driving, and driving whilst tired.
"Getting the basics right has always been the best way of staying safe on the road."
Acting Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith said motorcyclists were over-represented in the road toll.
"Seven of the people killed this year were riding motorcycles," he said.
"This is the height of the riding season so motorcyclists need to ride to live and other road users need to be look for bikes."
